(黑膠)詹姆斯·布克 / 機密檔案 James Booker / Classified (LP)

A deeply complex character, Booker only released two studio albums in his lifetime. However, Classified—his unintended swan song—offers one of his greatest commercially-released performances. Recorded in 1982, it is primarily the result of a whirlwind, four-hour session. In addition to several originals, the album includes a jaunty repertoire of mainly local fare, including Fats Domino’s “One for the Highway” and Lloyd Price’s “Lawdy Miss Clawdy.”

James Booker was the flamboyant keyboardist whose blend of jazz, blues, soul and boogie woogie epitomized New Orleans music.  Despite his exceptional talent, Classified was one of only two studio albums recorded during his career that sadly ended in 1983 at the age of 43.  The remastered Classified contains a lot of local music including Fats Domino’s “One for the Highway,” a Professor Longhair medley, “Bald Head”/”Tipitina,” and Lloyd Price’s “Lawdy Miss Clawdy”.  AllMusic called it “One of the great blues albums of the ’80s”.  

In addition to the States, Booker enjoyed success in Europe during the mid to late 70’s, playing at jazz festivals like Nice and Montreux.  He performed on the BBC and his album “New Orleans Piano Wizard: Live!” won the Grand Prix du Disque.  His biggest hit was at track named ‘”Gonzo” that went to #3 on the R&B chart.  He was also a member of Dr. John’s touring band and worked with the likes of Ringo Star, The Doobie Brothers, John Mayall and Maria Muldaur.  Another interesting tidbit is that Booker gave piano lessons to Harry Connick Jr.